The Minneapolis area has been ranked by Self magazine as one of the healthiest cities for women. Men’s Fitness puts Minneapolis as the No. 2 fittest cit. That 2009 Men’s Fitness article also sites that our great state has more cross-country skiers, tennis players, golfers, in-line skaters, bowlers, board-sailors and basketball courts than any other city in the country. Many Edina residents participate in the great athletic endeavors through activities offered at outlets such as the Edina Country Club, Three Rivers Park District and even Lariat Lanes. Many also belong to a gym or a health club. According to Men’s Fitness we have 130 percent more gyms and health clubs than the national average. Choosing a gym or a health club option can be tricky. There a lots of options with very different approaches to staying fit and healthy. Edina magazine has done the research for you. Here’s a list of fitness options conveniently located near you.
Fitness Together
This is the longest-running fitness center in Edina. Fitness Together (FT) opened on Gus Young Lane by Starbucks in November 1998. It recently made the move across Vernon and is now next door to the Jiffy Lube. The new space has three private workout bays so each client can train with total privacy and the undivided attention of their personal trainer. FT specializes in taking clients who are frustrated, tired and discouraged by the failings of other diets and fad exercise plans and helping them achieve their goal. “The big difference is the accountability factor,” says Deron Lindquist, owner of the Edina and Wayzata locations. “We hold people to task and help support them through their weaknesses.” Lindquist also says that keeping workouts fresh prevents boredom and keeps clients engaged in their activity. The top-notch trainers help those who need to lose 5 or 100 pounds. They also do a lot of fitness improvement work to help clients improve their golf or tennis game or simply increase hteir fitness level and ward off injury. “We like to look at it as injury prevention,” Lindquist says. “Let’s not wait until someone is injured to strengthen weaker areas; let’s make people stronger and more healthy now, so they don’t get hurt.” Trainers start at 5:30 a.m. and take clients every 45 minutes until 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and half days on weekends. Most clients are in their late 30s to mid 70s. There is no membership fee, and sessions run anywhere from $64 to $79 depending on the package. Sessions are non-transferable but with 450 locatioins in the country, the company will arrange a package for those who spend time away for the winter or otherwise. FT does all of its training in the studio and does not make home visits. “There are too many distractions in the home,” Lindquist says. “There are too many distractions in the home,” Lindquist says. “Plus, we like to make sure we have the flexibility to switch up a routine or use different equipment and not be held back because we didn’t bring everything. 5008 Vernon Ave.; 952.927.0300; ftminnesota.com
Snap Fitness
For those on the run who are looking for a no-frills approach to a solid workout, this is the place for you. There are no bells and whistles, no fancy classes, no pressure to buy more—and there’s not even a locker room. No one greets you at the door with an overly cheerful “good morning; enjoy your work out!” members come and go with a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week access card, and need to be almost completely self-motivated. Personal training is available by request. This gym, with an old-school weight room feel, is the perfect solution for someone who wants to be left alone to work out. It has everything a person needs for strength and fitness training and nothing more. Basic cardio machines include treadmills, elypticals and bikes; free weights and weight machines are all shared in one ground-level spot. There are plenty of windows and TVs. Security cameras do monitor every area of the club, and it is routinely cleaned and maintenanced. Says Edina resident and member Chanda Hammond, “I like it because it is convenient, easy, very clean and I feel very safe there. I like the no-hassle approach.” Hammond gave up her membership at Northwest because it just wasn’t convenient. “I can walk here from my home and/or drive and be here in two minutes.” As a busy mother of two small children she can fit a workout in while they are at pre-school and still have room in her day for other responsibilities. Membership transfers to any Snap Fitness in the country. Rates run $39.95 (single) to $59.95 (family) per month. 4503 France Ave.; 612.920.3385; snapfitness.com
LA Fitness
This bran-new, state-of-the-art health club is the busiest and largest location in Minnesota. The racquetball and large private basketball courts are two of the club’s biggest draws. LA Fitness has organized leagues as well as pick-up games for these sports and access to them is included in the membership price. It also offers group fitness classes including yoga, cycling, kickboxing, aqua and Pilates. There is an Olympic-size swimming pool, pristine locker rooms with sauna and on-site childcare. The Kids Klub is a cheerful, clean area with a 26-kid capacity. There is a climbing system, play area, computer game space and a large-screen TV. While much of the offerings at this club are fairly standard in today’s market. It does have a very unique and convenient approach to its personal training program. The national average is that 2 percent of all health club members use personal trainers at their gym. But at this LA Fitness location about 30 percent of members use one of 22 personal trainers. With so many trainers on staff, members are able to use any trainer once their program has been developed. Members also handle their own scheduling by hopping online and booking from their office or home computer. This allows the trainer to fit into the client’s schedule rather than having a busy executive rearrange her or his schedule to fit the training. This has been a great time saver for many of the employees of nearby corporate office centers. “It’s been so great to see the results of people who use the gym to its full potential,” says training manager Brady Seesz. Membership prices vary from about $19 per month to $44. 4175 W. 76th St.; 612.235.4831; lafitness.com
More local boutique fitness options:
Yoga House
Locally operated, this little yoga haven off France offers a full line of classes, seminars and a clothing boutique. It has beginner and advanced classes, and also offers senior and student discounts. 4402 France Ave. S.; 952.285.9642; yogahouse.net
Blooma
Specializing in prenatal and postnatal yoga, this womb of an environment is family friendly for people and parents of any age. It offers on-site childcare, a retail boutique, various class levels, seminars, massage, and additional wellness services such as chiropractic care and acupuncture. 3919 44th St.; 952.848.1111; blooma.com
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Dancing is a great form of exercise. In addition to classic dance, this studio offers an option to dance your way to a new body. Its core rhythm class dance fitness system is a revolutionary dance concept that uses sexy Latin dance moves to tone and tighten your total core and increase your heart rate. No partner needed! The first lesson is free, then $15 per class, with package discounts available. 5401 France Ave. S.; 612.920.1900; arthurmurraydancestudio.com
